Who doesn’t love vintage suitcases? They can be used in so many different ways to add that unique look to any room or space. Today I will be sharing a tutorial for DIY suitcase shelves that I put up last year.
I got the idea of creating DIY suitcase shelves from a home vintage magazine my husband had brought back from France for me (so kind of him, I know). It was just a photo of 5 cases on the wall – no instructions or how to so I had to figure it out on my own! I apologize in advance for the lack of progress photos. This space was created before I started blogging… I only cared about the finished version back then haha!
Materials I Used:
- Saw
- Drill
- 2 x suitcases
- MDF wood
- screws
How I Made DIY Suitcase Shelves:
1. Draw a line down 3/4 of the suitcases (You will only need 1/4 of the suitcase’s original size to make your shelves – but this also depends on your personal choice).
Using the line you have drawn as a guide, cut through the suitcase using the saw (This part was quite devastating to do as it was such a beautiful case!).
2. Drill 2 holes to the top of the suitcase and 2 holes to the bottom of the case. It should be about 0.5cm to 1cm from the back edge of the suitcase (the side you have cut off)
3. Make 2 wooden brackets using thick hardwood blocks about 6cm long and 2cm thick. They should be the exact height of your suitcase.
4. Screw these ‘brackets’ onto the wall to the height you want.
5. The suitcase should fit over the brackets and then you just screw everything into place using the pre-drilled holes. (see diagram above)
I decorated the suitcase shelves with picture frames and nautical ornaments!

Roll Out Pantry for the Kitchen
To see more projects from our group members, click here. To see Grillo Designs DIY projects, click here. To submit your own project click here.
Just adorable, and you’re right….it is so simple ! Thanks for sharing.
The suitcase selves is one of my favorites!! It’s such a fun visual.
Great tutorial – I wouldn’t have known where to start! They look great #HomeEtc
This is SUCH a fantastic idea!! I have got a vintage suitcase and have been toying with ideas of what to do with it!! This has given me great inspiration โ thanks so much for sharing ๐ Thanks for linking up:) #HomeEtc โ Caro x
These are GORGEOUS! I might surprise my other half with them in the bedroom as we both love vintage suitcases. Thanks for the tutorial! ๐ x
These are so gorgeous! And they really complement your colour scheme. Love it x
This is genious, very cool style xx
What a cool idea! I’d never have thought of doing that with suitcases. Looks great! ๐